The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world, including Indonesia, for almost two years, has been felt so strongly that it has shaken various sectors. This includes a decline in economic activity, which has also been felt by farmers in the country.
Classic problems faced by farmers have become even more entrenched during this pandemic. These include capital problems, low selling prices for agricultural products, and difficulties in marketing agricultural products.
However, the fighting spirit of farmers amid the downturn caused by the pandemic requires attention and support from various parties.
This is the reason why lecturers from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Widyatama University (UTama) are helping to solve the problem by providing training for the managers of the Kurnia Abadi Independent Training and Rural Center (P4S) in Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency.
The activity was led by Yelli Eka Sumadhinata, SE., M.M., Chair of the Community Service Cluster (PkM). It was held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, and was attended by dozens of managers from P4S and local residents.
The theme of the event was “Developing Entrepreneurial Competencies in Human Resource Management for Managers of the Kurnia Abadi Self-Reliance Training and Rural Development Center (P4S).”
Pasirlangu Village was chosen as the location for community service activities, according to Yelli, because it was once known as a pioneer in paprika cultivation. The village also wants to be known as a village that is advanced in the field of paprika cultivation.
Yelli also revealed that with sufficient knowledge and information as well as the ability to innovate, it is hoped that these farmers can rise up and become part of the economic recovery.
“We hope this activity can provide a little knowledge and motivation for farmers to continue innovating so that they can rise up in the midst of difficult circumstances during the pandemic,” said Yelli, who is also a lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Economics and Business.
Going forward, his party will continue to make breakthroughs through collaboration and continuity, providing education and training with information, adapting to the latest advances in science and technology.
This includes planning activities for other villages in West Java, especially those in need, gradually, starting with the nearest villages first.
“It is hoped that farmers can take an active role in reviving the nation’s economy and recovering from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Yelli.
Regarding the Community Service Program (PkM), the Head of Pasirlangu Village, Nur Awaludin Lubis, greatly appreciated Widyatama University for sharing their knowledge in Pasirlangu Village.
“This village is a pioneer in paprika cultivation, and we hope that this activity can continue,” said Nur.
Meanwhile, Yanti Kurniati, Chair of P4S Kurnia Abadi, said, “Many residents are skilled in agriculture, such as when to plant, water, and harvest, but we have difficulty in marketing, especially now that online marketing is booming.”
“We know there are many marketplaces, but we are confused about how to use them. Hopefully, this collaboration with academics can help us farmers become more prosperous,” said Yanti.
It is known that this Community Service Program (PkM) is a work program of the Research and Community Service Institute (LP2M) of UTama and the Intellectual Capital of Widyatama University. Assisted by lecturers who are deployed to various locations to help residents who need training in various fields of knowledge possessed by the lecturers.
The following is a list of lecturers and students who conducted PkM at the Kurnia Abadi Training and Self-Reliance Center (P4S): Chair, Yelli Eka Sumadhinata, S.E., M.M.; Members, Dr. Hj. Wien Dyahrini, S.E., M.Si, Dr. Yana Hendayana, S.E., M.M., Sri Wiludjeng SP., S.E., M.P, Suskim Riantani, S.E., M.Si, Nabilah Ramahdan, S.M.B., M.M., who are experts in fields such as marketing, management, organization, entrepreneurship, and finance.
